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    Popular » Recipes » Soups & Chili

    Mom's Best Chili Recipe (Stovetop)

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Nov 15, 2022 by Dee

    Mom's Best Chili Recipe is a mild chili recipe with ground beef that is easy to make on the stovetop or slow cooker. It's perfect when you're craving simple comfort food from home! via @meamel

    Mom's Best Chili Recipe is a mild chili recipe with ground beef that is easy to make on the stovetop or slow cooker. It's perfect when you're craving simple comfort food from home!

    Jump to Recipe -
    bowl of mild chili with ground beef and kidney beans and cheese cooked on stovetop
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Stovetop Chili
    • Cook Time
    • What to serve with Chili?
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    This easy chili recipe is a very mild chili recipe that my mom made all the time when I was growing up. It's perfect for an easy dinner or game day get together or whenever you want some hearty comfort food. It's mild enough for kids, so If you're not a fan of spicy chili, this classic chili is the best recipe for you!

    I already have a few other chili recipes on the blog. Can you have too many recipes for chili in your collection?  My white chicken chili is a family favorite. Easy 2 Bean Chili has a little bit more heat than this one, and my Beefy Three Bean Chipotle Chili is anything but mild!

    Personally, I love spicy food, but not everyone in the family does -- And I love to get creative with the flavors whenever I'm cooking. So normally, I use a bit of cinnamon, a little paprika and some garlic whenever I make chili. But my mom's old fashioned chili recipe is my favorite way to make a pot of chili.

    Even though it's a simple recipe, it's downright delicious, as most simple recipes are!

    ground beef, tomatoes, kidney beans, pepper, onion, broth and spices

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients for this classic chili recipe. And the best part is that you probably already have everything you need. If not, you can find the ingredients for this easy recipe in most grocery stores.

    • Ground beef -- I use extra lean ground beef.
    • Onion -- either white onion or yellow onion, diced
    • Bell pepper -- I use a diced yellow bell pepper for color, but a green bell pepper, red bell pepper or orange pepper works fine.
    • Kidney beans
    • Tomato sauce -- not marinara sauce
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Beef broth or water
    • Seasonings -- chili powder, salt and black pepper

    How to Make Stovetop Chili

    First, cook the onion in a little olive oil until soft. I use my Dutch oven, but a large stockpot or any large pot will also work.

    Then, add the ground beef, and cook over medium high heat until it is no longer pink.

    If you aren't using extra lean beef, you may want to drain the grease.

    brown ground beef with onions in dutch oven

    I usually like to season the chili as I go. So, I add some as the meat cooks and more after I add the remaining ingredients.

    When the beef is done cooking, add everything else. Stir the ingredients well, then heat chili until bubbling. Reduce heat to low, and cover the dutch oven.

    ground beef, peppers, kidney beans and tomatoes in dutch oven on stovetop

    Cook Time

    Cook the chili on low heat to medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes. You can cook it longer, but 30 minutes is enough time for the flavors to blend if you're in a hurry.

    Make sure you stir the chili from time to time with a wooden spoon or large spoon.

    mom's best chili recipe with beef and beans in pot

    What to serve with Chili?

    We love to serve this easy beef chili recipe with shredded cheddar cheese or cheddar blend, sour cream, corn chips, tortilla chips, crusty bread and crackers. Homemade garlic bread is amazing with chili!

    You can add your favorite toppings to this stovetop chili recipe, such as green onions, jalapeño pepper slices, cooked bacon, avocado, hot sauce or fresh diced tomatoes.

    mild chili with ground beef in dutch oven on table

    Variations

    We love this homemade chili recipe as is, but you can easily change it up. You can add more chili powder if you want more heat, but I'd start out with a smaller amount and go from there.

    You can also add another can of tomatoes or additional broth or water if you like your chili with more liquid. I add garlic powder every now and then, so feel free to add garlic, cayenne pepper or your favorite spices.

    If you don't have red kidney beans, sub pinto beans or black beans, instead. You can also use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.

    Want to make slow cooker chili? You can also start this classic beef chili earlier in the day and let it hang out in your slow cooker on low for 4 hours or until you're ready to eat. Easy peasy!

    You can convert this ground beef chili recipe stove top version to a pressure cooker version with my Instant Pot chili recipe.

    mild chili with ground beef in crockpot slow cooker

    How to Store

    Store leftover chili in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It keeps fresh for up to 4 days.

    You can freeze chili in a freezer safe container or ziploc bag for up to 3 months for best taste.

    mom's best chili recipe with shredded cheese in bowl

    Recipe

    best chili recipe with ground beef and kidney beans cooked on stovetop in white bowl

    Mom's Best Chili Recipe (stovetop)

    Published by Dee
    Mom's Best Chili Recipe is a mild chili recipe with ground beef that is easy to make on the stovetop or slow cooker. It's perfect when you're craving simple comfort food from home!
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 102 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 dutch oven

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
    • 2 14-oz cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
    • 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes
    • 1 cup water or beef broth
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more, to taste if needed
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook onions in olive oil until soft.
    • Add ground beef, and cook over medium high heat until no longer pink. Drain fat if needed, if not using extra lean beef.
    • Stir in the remaining ingredients, heat until bubbling, cover, and simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until ready to eat

    Notes

    I usually fill the empty 8-oz can of tomato sauce with water and add that. You can add more or less, according to your preference
    Chili can be transferred to a slow cooker and kept warm on low until ready to eat.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 15gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 287mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 493IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    My whole family absolutely loves this delicious chili -- They say it's the best homemade chili recipe ever! It's one of our favorite dinners, along with creamy shells and beef and ground beef stroganoff!

    I hope you enjoy Mom's best chili recipe as much as my family does!If you do make this beef and bean chili recipe, please leave a star rating and comment.

    For more easy ground beef recipes and easy dinner recipes, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow along on social media.

    Recipe published in 2017 and updated in 2022.

    mom's best chili recipe in ramekin
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    More Soups & Chili

    • Chicken Potato Soup Recipe
    • Ground Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe
    • Instant Pot Turkey Stock
    • Cabbage Soup with Sausage

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Patrick says

      November 28, 2022 at 12:48 pm

      Made this for the football games last Sunday. Everybody loved it! Going to have to make more next time!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Patrick says

      November 22, 2022 at 3:31 pm

      Easy to make and tons of flavor. Great for a weekend full of football!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Miz Helen says

      November 27, 2017 at 10:07 am

      Nothing better than a bowl of Moms Chili! Thanks so much for sharing with us at our Thanksgiving Edition of Full Plate Thursday! Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    4. Carrie @ Carrie's Home Cooking says

      November 21, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      These looks delicious! Pinned! Tomorrow we are hosting the Whisk It Wednesday Link Party at Carrie's Home Cooking and thought you might want to share there too! I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with lots of love and laughter! ~ Carrie5 stars

      Reply
    5. Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says

      November 19, 2017 at 8:14 pm

      You can't beat a great bowl of chili!

      Reply
    6. eat good 4 life says

      November 18, 2017 at 7:24 am

      Such a comforting recipe. A go to in my household.

      Reply
    7. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

      November 16, 2017 at 11:31 am

      Pure comfort food! Family recipes are the best! I always load my chili with more cheese, red onions and chips!

      Reply
    8. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

      November 16, 2017 at 5:44 am

      I just love how thick & hearty this is! 🙂

      Reply
    9. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

      November 15, 2017 at 7:29 pm

      I love a big pit of chili! I also love all of your topping suggestions! So good!

      Reply
    10. Amanda says

      November 15, 2017 at 6:16 pm

      I love recipes that remind us of our Moms 🙂

      Reply
    11. Jen says

      November 15, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      This is totally how my Mom makes chili too! This just brought me right back to my childhood. I always crave a big bowl to have on a chilly day or watching a game. Love it!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 15, 2017 at 5:48 pm

        Thanks, Jen. It's exactly how I feel! Moms know best, right?!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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